Nursing Elites

1. A client with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a low-potassium diet. Which food should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?

• A. Carrots
• B. White bread
• C. Bananas
• D. Apples

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Bananas. Bananas are high in potassium and should be avoided in clients who are on a low-potassium diet due to chronic kidney disease. Foods like apples and white bread are low in potassium and are safer choices. Carrots are also low in potassium and do not need to be avoided in this case.

2. After receiving a report on an inpatient acute care unit, which client should the nurse assess first?

• A. Client with pneumonia who has a fever of 101.5°F
• B. Client who underwent knee surgery and needs dressing change
• C. Client with a bowel obstruction due to a volvulus experiencing abdominal rigidity
• D. Client with diabetes requesting insulin

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Abdominal rigidity in a client with a bowel obstruction could indicate peritonitis, a serious complication requiring immediate attention. Volvulus, a twisting of the intestine, can lead to bowel ischemia and necrosis. Clients with pneumonia (choice A) may need assessment and treatment for infection, but it is not as immediately life-threatening as a bowel obstruction. A client who underwent knee surgery (choice B) needing a dressing change can typically wait for assessment compared to a potential surgical emergency. Similarly, a client with diabetes requesting insulin (choice D) may require attention to maintain blood glucose levels, but it is not as urgent as a suspected bowel obstruction with possible peritonitis.

3. A client presents with three positive responses to the CAGE questionnaire. What interpretation should the nurse provide?

• A. CAGE is a tool for general substance abuse screening.
• B. Two positive responses suggest alcohol dependence.
• C. One positive response does not indicate alcohol addiction.
• D. All four responses must be positive to suggest alcohol dependence.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Two positive responses on the CAGE questionnaire strongly suggest alcohol dependence. Choice A is incorrect as the CAGE questionnaire specifically targets alcohol abuse. Choice C is incorrect because one positive response is not enough to indicate alcohol addiction. Choice D is incorrect because alcohol dependence can be suggested with two positive responses, not all four.

4. A client is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which laboratory result would the nurse expect to find in this client?

• A. pH level of 7.45
• B. Serum calcium of 15 mg/dL
• C. Blood glucose of 450 mg/dL
• D. Sodium level of 120 mEq/L

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Clients with diabetic ketoacidosis typically present with elevated blood glucose levels, often above 300 mg/dL. This high blood glucose level, along with other symptoms, helps confirm the diagnosis of DKA. A pH level of 7.45 would be indicative of alkalosis, not the acidosis seen in DKA. A serum calcium level of 15 mg/dL is significantly elevated and is not a typical finding in DKA. A sodium level of 120 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia, which is not a characteristic laboratory finding in DKA.

5. The nurse is caring for a client with a history of congestive heart failure (CHF) who is receiving digoxin therapy. The client reports seeing halos around lights. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. Assess the client's digoxin level
• B. Increase the client's fluid intake
• C. Check the client's blood pressure
• D. Administer a dose of potassium

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Seeing halos around lights is a classic symptom of digoxin toxicity. The nurse should assess the client's digoxin level to determine if the dose needs to be adjusted or if the medication should be held. Increasing fluid intake or checking blood pressure would not directly address the symptom of halos around lights. Administering a dose of potassium is not indicated without knowing the digoxin level and could potentially worsen the toxicity.

Similar Questions